Hey Sacramento! Get ready to Rally for Preschool!

We met a bright, ambitious 3 year old girl while petitioning for our preschool campaign last week. She knows her ABCs and the colors of the rainbow. She’d excel in a preschool classroom, but she’s not in one because the costs are too high. We need Gov. Jerry Brown to make access to high-quality early childhood education and care a priority. That’s why we’re joining with Raising California Together at the State Capitol this Thursday at noon.

Over half of California’s three and four year olds are not enrolled in preschool and missing out on critical early learning opportunities, including social, cognitive, motor, and literacy skills. If we want to give all of our little learners a fair shot at a good, productive life, we need to show Gov. Brown that we want to make this important investment. Can you show your support by joining the Rally for Preschool on Thursday Feb. 20 at noon? RSVP here: http://bit.ly/prekrally

Check out the pictures from the events in San Diego, Long Beach, Bakersfield and Fresno:

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson is one of the bus riders and here’s what he had to say about universal preschool:“It has become a well-documented fact that early education sets up children for success, but it can also set up an entire state for prosperity, increased public safety, and a thriving economy. Quality early childhood education has been shown to have lifelong effects on schooling, employment and more. Quality early education isn’t just about kids, its about the future of California.”

Kids not in an early childhood program are 50% more likely to be held back. And if they are not reading proficient by 3rd grade are 4 times more likely to drop out.